In New Delhi on December 11, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi both voiced their deep sadness about a deadly truck crash that unfolded in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district on December 8.
The President took to social media to say, “Saddened to learn about the loss of lives in a road accident in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”
In a separate post on X, the PMO shared, “Distressed by the loss of lives due to a mishap in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
The Prime Minister added that families of the deceased will receive an ex‑gratia of ₹2 lakh from the PM NRF, while those who were hurt will be granted ₹50,000.
The incident is believed to have happened near kilometer marker 40. It wasn’t until late Wednesday that a survivor reached the Chipra GREF camp and let authorities know what had happened. According to the survivor’s initial report, the truck veered off the narrow, winding mountain road and tumbled roughly 200 metres down into a dense, inaccessible gorge.
The crash site lies about 12 kilometres from Chaglagam in a remote area with very limited connectivity. Until the survivor’s arrival, no local agency, contractor, or civil representative had mentioned missing workers, so rescuers were dispatched immediately.
On Thursday, the Indian Army’s Spear Corps, along with medical teams, GREF staff, local police, NDRF members, and the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Hayuliang, mounted the search. An official later reported, “At 1155 hours, after four hours of intensive search and rope descent, the truck was spotted around 200 metres below the road near KM 40 in a re‑entrant, inaccessible and not visible from helicopters or the road due to dense tree cover and thick foliage. Eighteen bodies have been sighted and are being retrieved using belay ropes.”
The vehicle had been hidden by the thick forest, making it invisible from both the road and air. Rescue teams continue to recover the 18 bodies found at the site using belay rope systems, while the ADC has coordinated with the SP of Anjaw, who is on the scene, to handle the evacuation of casualties and remains. The State Disaster Response Force, called in by the Deputy Commissioner, is also advancing toward the site.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
